Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday night in Canton, Ohio.
Wochit

One of the trademarks of the Dallas Cowboys under owner Jerry Jones has been the organization’s willingness to take a risk.

While some risks failed to pay any dividends — the Greg Hardy signing, for one — the recruitment and signing of La’el Collins a few years back has worked out well for the Cowboys.

The former LSU offensive lineman was supposed to be a first-round pick in 2015. Just before the draft, there were media reports suggesting police wanted to talk with him in relation to the death of an ex-girlfriend. When he was not chosen in the first three rounds, his agents told teams if he was selected later in the draft he wouldn't sign and would hold out until the 2016 draft.

After no one drafted him, Collins could sign with any team as a free agent. Four days after the draft, Jones brought Collins to his home in Dallas for a meeting that included head coach Jason Garrett, now-retired quarterback Tony Romo, offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Zack Marti and Travis Frederick, and tight end Jason Witten.

The recruiting trip worked. Collins picked Dallas over several other teams, signing a fully guaranteed deal worth roughly $1.6 million. The deal was far less than what he would have made as a high first-round pick.

While some risks failed to pay any dividends — the Greg Hardy signing, for one — the recruitment and signing of La’el Collins a few years back has worked out well for the Cowboys.

The former LSU offensive lineman was supposed to be a first-round pick in 2015. Just before the draft, there were media reports suggesting police wanted to talk with him in relation to the death of an ex-girlfriend. When he was not chosen in the first three rounds, his agents told teams if he was selected later in the draft he wouldn't sign and would hold out until the 2016 draft.

After no one drafted him, Collins could sign with any team as a free agent. Four days after the draft, Jones brought Collins to his home in Dallas for a meeting that included head coach Jason Garrett, now-retired quarterback Tony Romo, offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Zack Marti and Travis Frederick, and tight end Jason Witten.

The recruiting trip worked. Collins picked Dallas over several other teams, signing a fully guaranteed deal worth roughly $1.6 million. The deal was far less than what he would have made as a high first-round pick.

Collins never complained, instead he played well enough to earn a spot as the team’s starting left guard in 2015. He started two games last season before his season was cut short by a toe injury.

The Cowboys signed Collins, who turned 24 on Wednesday, to a two-year extension Tuesday that will keep him in Dallas through 2019. According to reports, he received a $4 million signing bonus and has a $1 million base salary this year. His base salary will be $4.5 million next season and $6.5 million in 2019. Between the original contract and his extension, Collins will net roughly the same money he could have made as a first-round pick.

Collins said he has never looked back and wondered what might have been.

“If you want to move forward you’ve got to keep your eyes on what is in front of you,” Collins said. “It’s a blessing. I’m extremely excited and ready to play some football.

“I’m ready to show everyone what I am all about. I don’t feel any pressure. I’m real confident in myself and this team and the guys I am playing with. Think it is going to be a great year for us.”

Collins' new contract comes on the heals of the team’s decision to move him from guard to right tackle, where he will take over for the recently retired Doug Free.

Collins played left tackle at LSU and thinks the’s better suited for the position. He believes his natural athleticism combined with his 6-foot-4, 320-pound frame will allow him to dominate opposing pass rushers who will likely be smaller.

“We’re looking for the best five guys and being on the right with Zack (Martin) and us being able to work together, I think that is going to be a big piece for us,” Collins said.

Garrett said Collins has shown he’s more than capable of handling the switch.

“LC is somebody we really like,” Garrett said. “He’s done a really nice job for us over the last couple of years. We liked him a lot coming out of school, position flex to play guard and tackle. He’s a really tough guy. He loves to play football.

"He’s got a passion for playing the game and he works very hard at it. He’s one of those guys who has grown before your eyes. We really feel like he has a bright future.”

The first call Collins made after signing his new contract was to his mother. His family is just as happy that he landed with Dallas.

“Where else would you want to play at and where else would you want to be than to be playing with the guys I play with?” Collins said. “I love playing with guys who have the same vision and goals. I can’t say I would be here without those guys.”

While the extension gives Collins additional financial security, he could be in line for a much bigger payday after 2019.

“I just have to take care of what I need to take care of on the field and everything else will take care of itself,” Collins said. “I’m really thankful for this opportunity. Really thankful they believed in me. It feels great.”